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By Mihar Dias Copyright ©️ July 2023
Analyzing the Perspectives of a Former MACC Officer on the relationship between racial backgrounds of offenders and corruption.
Corruption and its relationship to the ethnic composition of those involved has become a highly debated topic in Malaysian politics. Shedding light on this issue, Shamshun Baharin Mohd Jamil, a former senior officer of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), recently shared his insights.
According to Shamshun Baharin, corruption involves individuals from various ethnic backgrounds, but there is a noticeable trend of non-Malays being the givers and Malays being the takers.
This article aims at analysing Shamshun Baharin's viewpoints, providing a deeper understanding of the ongoing debate surrounding the ethnic composition of individuals involved in corrupt practices.
Givers and Takers
Corruption offences require the involvement of two parties. Shamshun Baharin pointed out that the individuals who offer bribes, commonly known as givers, are predominantly non-Malays. These givers are often businesspeople seeking advantages for their companies. Typically, they are wealthier individuals who resort to bribes to secure projects, licenses, permits, or expedite service processes by the authorities.
Conversely, Shamshun Baharin mentioned that the individuals who accept bribes, referred to as takers, are mostly financially challenged individuals, with a majority being Malays.
Investigations Based on Reports, Not Ethnicity
It is crucial to understand that Shamshun Baharin emphasized that the MACC does not initiate investigations based on the ethnic or racial backgrounds of the individuals involved. The focus remains on reports and information received regarding corruption offences. He reiterated that both the act of giving and taking bribes are criminal acts, regardless of the ethnicity or background of those involved.
Political Debate
The debate regarding the ethnic composition of corruption offenders was recently sparked by Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, the caretaker Kedah menteri besar. Sanusi alleged that non-Muslims constituted the majority of individuals detained for giving and taking bribes, but he failed to provide concrete evidence or official statistics to support his claim.
In response to Sanusi's allegations, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke challenged them as unfounded and irresponsible, demanding either concrete evidence or a public apology from Sanusi.
MACC's Perspective
As a former MACC officer, Shamshun Baharin stated that the ethnicity of those involved in corruption should not be the primary focus. He stressed that MACC investigations concentrate on corruption offences, regardless of the ethnic background of the individuals. However, he did acknowledge that during his service, he observed a higher percentage of Muslim bribe takers, with 47% of them being civil servants. These civil servants are likely to be among those employed by authorities that approve permits, licenses, or hold positions to expedite such activities.
Class and Corruption
If Malaysia were a country with a homogeneous population but plagued by corruption, it would be essential to recognize corruption as a class issue rather than an ethnic one. In such a scenario, it would be the economically privileged who corrupt low-income individuals in positions of authority to expedite permit processes and other activities. This perspective highlights the significance of viewing corruption beyond ethnic boundaries and examining the role of socio-economic factors.
Conclusion
The ethnic composition of corruption offenders has emerged as a contentious topic in Malaysian politics. While a former senior MACC officer acknowledged the trend of more non-Malays as givers and Malays as takers, he emphasized that investigations are conducted solely based on reports and information received, without any preferential treatment based on ethnicity. The ongoing debate underscores the importance of addressing corruption as a whole, irrespective of the ethnicity of those involved. Ultimately, combatting corruption should be a collective effort to ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness in Malaysia's governance.
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